Alabama Supreme Court upholds discipline of former judge

MONTGOMERY, Alabama — The Alabama Supreme Court has upheld an order publicly censuring former Houston County District Judge John Steensland and prohibiting him from serving as a judge again in Alabama.

The court issued an 8-0 ruling Friday rejecting Steensland's argument that he couldn't be disciplined because he resigned his judgeship in May 2010 before Alabama's Judicial Inquiry Commission filed a complaint against him. The Supreme Court said he could be disciplined because the commission's investigation began before he resigned.

Alabama's Court of the Judiciary heard the commission's complaint. Witnesses told the court that Steensland yelled and cursed in court, ridiculed defendants, and sent a woman to jail even though she had no charge against her. The court found his conduct improper and ordered the discipline in April 2011. Steensland then appealed.